Dreger says he has heard that despite receiving many calls regarding trade packages for Panarin, Kekalainen is more so focused on convincing the superstar forward to re-sign with Columbus, and that the same goes for goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.

That said, Dreger went on to say that he was told it doesn't sound like the mood has changed for Panarin - the Russian star "wants a market change."

Both elite players have expiring contracts at the end of the 2018-2019 season, as the hockey world anxiously awaits any sort of update possible on their future career plans.